SNAP
Statement

Statement by David Clohessy of
St. Louis MO, SNAP National Director 314 566 9790

We applaud this decision and hope it speeds the day when hundreds of
deeply wounded and still hurting abuse victims get some relief and healing.

We also hope this will make bishops think twice before adopting far-fetched
hardball defense maneuvers that end up adding pain upon already horrific
pain. For the sake of victims and the church itself, we hope bishops will
act more like caring shepherds and less like cold-hearted CEOs.

The notion that somehow bishops don't control their parishes is ludicrous.
This claim, and the bankruptcy claim itself, is just more in a long series
of desperate legal strategies church officials use to keep Catholics from
learning the truth and victims from getting justice.

At all costs, bishops want to avoid having to tell under oath how much
they knew and how little they did about abusive priests. They'll put forth
almost laughable theories about why they shouldn't have to give up secret
documents or

Church officials have tons of insurance and funds to settle abuse cases.
Sadly, many lack the will and compassion to do so. Instead, they use intimidating
and delaying tactics, fight to keep their abuse cover ups covered up,
and then cry poverty, all the while failing to disclose their insurance
policies and finances.

No school or parish has ever been hurt or closed because of abusive clergy
or complicit bishops. None ever will be. Bishops make these threats to
win sympathy and guilt-trip victims into staying silent of giving up.

(SNAP is the nation's oldest and largest support group for clergy molestation
victims.)